VIDEO: Mayor Rosamilia swears in Troy's new police commissioner

Troy Mayor Lou Rosamilia administers the oath of office to Anthony Magnetto, the city's new police commissioner, during a Friday afternoon ceremony at City Hall in Hedley Park Place. (J.S.Carras/The Record)

Members of the Troy Police Department applaud after their new commissioner, Anthony Magnetto, was sworn into office during a ceremony at City Hall in Hedley Park Place Friday afternoon. (J.S.Carras/The Record)

TROY - After a contentious appointment process, Anthony Magnetto was finally sworn in as police commissioner Friday before an over-crowded council chamber in City Hall.

The room was filled with various city dignitaries, including Council members Nina Nichols, Kevin McGrath, Lynn Kopka and Gary Galuski. Most noticeably absent, though, was Chief John Tedesco, who is currently attending training in Virginia.

Mayor Lou Rosamilia was elated after the council approved his appointment the night before in a 7-2 vote, even hailing the swearing-in as one of the most important days of his tenure. Still, even though the process of getting Magnetto into the position is complete, he said there is still much more to do.

"I feel like we're only in the first half of the first quarter," Rosamilia said, adding he was going to keep his remarks brief, not just because of the impending snowstorm but because he also knew that Magnetto was ready to get to work. "If I know Tony, he's ready to get started. If I know Tony, I know when he sets a plan, he sticks to it."

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Magnetto entered the room to a standing ovation from those in attendance and several officers and members of the command staff lined the walls to look on as Magnetto signed his name. For Rosamilia, the sight brought only one word to mind.

"Respect," Rosamilia said. "Respect for a man dedicated to the city, a man dedicated to his family and a man dedicated to the residents."

In his first address to the public as police commissioner, Magnetto talked about how important the community's respect for the department is, especially when its responsibilities outweigh its experience. Even with the mixture of a young force and an experienced command staff, Magnetto said the department is in a good position.

"In my way of thinking, this is the perfect relationship at this time of the department's history," Magnetto said.